Calluses

Calluses are diffused areas of thickened hard skin, and may have corns beneath They generally appear hard and yellow, and can cause a burning sensation and generalised discomfort. Calluses are most often found on the ball of the foot and around the edges of the heels, and sometimes on the end and tops of the toes.

Symptoms

Calluses may be mistaken for corns. Unlike corns, calluses have no nucleus pressing on the nerve. Pain from calluses tends to be a wider spread burning sensation rather than the intense pain of a corn.

Calluses are larger than corns with a creamy yellow colour. They often appear round or oval and have visible, ridged skin lines on the surface.

Causes

Callus formation is a normal process. Callus can form and disappear without causing any bother. However an excessive amount of callus build up can be uncomfortable, and for some people very painful.

Areas of callus on the foot can be a sign that there is excessive force to the area of skin involved. This may be due to tight fitting shoes, abnormality of the bony structure or walking pattern.

Calluses on the feet can appear at any age, however they are more likely to form with increasing age and it is unusual for children to have calluses.

Treatment

If calluses become painful, they can be treated by your Podiatrist/Chiropodist. A Podiatrist will make a full foot assessment and then advise which treatments are most appropriate for your callus. They will consider the reason for the callus forming and aim to address the cause of the problem rather than just treating the callus itself.